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Man Utd snub memoriam tribute to Carlisle-based fan

Mean-minded Manchester United have upset the family and friends of a Carlisle-based fan who died last year by refusing permission to use the club crest in a memoriam.

Two pals of Lee Ewings, who died at the age of 37 last year as the result of a brain tumour, lined up a memoriam tribute in this Saturday’s News & Star, requesting that it be accompanied by the Manchester United club crest.

But the club, a mega-rich worldwide brand whose turnover last year exceeded £320 million, took a stance against the advertisement ordered by Robert McTaggart and Craig Dowell.

A request by the News & Star to use the crest brought this response from Andrea Murphy, brand protection manager at Old Trafford: “Unfortunately it is not our policy to allow the Manchester United Crest to be used in the manner you have requested. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Lee’s father David, of Dowbeck Road, Carlisle, said: “I’m disgusted. Both myself and Lee were lifelong United fans. They’ve lost my son as a fan and now they’ve lost me too.

“Lee actually died while waiting to watch them on television. I shall never watch them again. That’s it.

“There seems to be no compassion or understanding these days. It’s all money, money, money.”

Robert said: “The three of us were best friends right from our school days at Caldew Lea and Morton. Lee went off to the army but when he came back we knocked about together again.

“He was Manchester United mad. It was so sad to see his deterioration in health over the past few years but any talk of United would put a smile on his face.

“Lee ended up in the Eden Valley Hospice when he lost the feeling in his left side and his speech became affected.

“It was tragic. I can’t believe Manchester United’s stance. Why?”

News & Star classified advertising manager Wes Davis said: “It is not unusual for such a request to be made and this is the first time we have ever been denied.

“We have, for instance, used the Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool crests very recently with full permission from the clubs.”

Have your say

Have I read on the bill boards of a u turn by Man Utd ( no mention anywhere on here )so somebody has asked the right person for permission then !!!!!

Posted by Davie S on
13 January 2013 at 08:39

Sorry to read this. I speak as someone who stopped following the game 35 years ago due to crowd violence rearing its repulsive head. What harm would using the club crest on a memorial do? MUFC should be ashamed of themselves.